the red cross girl-第18章

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track　he　heard　the　rumble　and　creak　of　approaching　cars。　In　a
flash　David　planned　his　course　of　action。

The　thought　of　spending　the　night　in　a　swamp　infested　by
alligators　and　smugglers　had　become　intolerable。　He　must　escape；
and　he　must　escape　by　the　train　now　approaching。　To　that　end　the
train　must　be　stopped。　His　plan　was　simple。　The　train　was　moving
very；　very　slowly；　and　though　he　had　no　lantern　to　wave；　in　order
to　bring　it　to　a　halt　he　need　only　stand　on　the　track　exposed　to
the　glare　of　the　headlight　and　wave　his　arms。　David　sprang
between　the　rails　and　gesticulated　wildly。　But　in　amazement　his
arms　fell　to　his　sides。　For　the　train；　now　only　a　hundred　yards
distant　and　creeping　toward　him　at　a　snail's　pace；　carried　no
head…light；　and　though　in　the　moonlight　David　was　plainly
visible；　it　blew　no　whistle；　tolled　no　bell。　Even　the　passenger
coaches　in　the　rear　of　the　sightless　engine　were　wrapped　in
darkness。　It　was　a　ghost　of　a　train；　a　Flying　Dutchman　of　a
train；　a　nightmare　of　a　train。　It　was　as　unreal　as　the　black
swamp；　as　the　moss　on　the　dead　trees；　as　the　ghostly　tug…boat
tied　to　the　rotting　wharf。

〃Is　the　place　haunted！〃　exclaimed　David。

He　was　answered　by　the　grinding　of　brakes　and　by　the　train　coming
to　a　sharp　halt。　And　instantly　from　every　side　men　fell　from　it
to　the　ground；　and　the　silence　of　the　night　was　broken　by　a
confusion　of　calls　and　eager　greeting　and　questions　and　sharp
words　of　command。

So　fascinated　was　David　in　the　stealthy　arrival　of　the　train　and
in　her　mysterious　passengers　that；　until　they　confronted　him；　he
did　not　note　the　equally　stealthy　approach　of　three　men。　Of　these
one　was　the　little　man　from　the　tug。　With　him　was　a　fat；　red…faced
Irish…American　He　wore　no　coat　and　his　shirt…sleeves　were　drawn
away　from　his　hands　by　garters　of　pink　elastic；　his　derby　hat　was
balanced　behind　his　ears；　upon　his　right　hand　flashed　an　enormous
diamond。　He　looked　as　though　but　at　that　moment　he　had　stopped
sliding　glasses　across　a　Bowery　bar。　The　third　man　carried　the
outward　marks　of　a　sailor。　David　believed　he　was　the　tallest　man
he　had　ever　beheld；　but　equally　remarkable　with　his　height　was
his　beard　and　hair；　which　were　of　a　fierce　brick…dust　red。　Even
in　the　mild　moonlight　it　flamed　like　a　torch。

〃What's　your　business？〃　demanded　the　man　with　the　flamboyant
hair。

〃I　came　here；〃　began　David；　〃to　wait　for　a　train〃

The　tall　man　bellowed　with　indignant　rage。

〃Yes；〃　he　shouted；　〃this　is　the　sort　of　place　any　one　would　pick
out　to　wait　for　a　train！〃

In　front　of　David's　nose　he　shook　a　fist　as　large　as　a　catcher's
glove。　〃Don't　you　lie　to　ME！〃　he　bullied。　〃Do　you　know　who　I　am？
Do　you　know　WHO　you're　up　against？　I'm〃

The　barkeeper　person　interrupted。

〃Never　mind　who　you　are；〃　he　said。　〃We　know　that。　Find　out　who　HE
is。〃

David　turned　appealingly　to　the　barkeeper。

〃Do　you　suppose　I'd　come　here　on　purpose？〃　he　protested。　〃I'm　a
travelling　man〃

〃You　won't　travel　any　to…night；〃　mocked　the　red…haired　one。
〃You've　seen　what　you　came　to　see；　and　all　you　want　now　is　to　get
to　a　Western　Union　wire。　Well；　you　don't　do　it。　You　don't　leave
here　to…night！〃

As　though　he　thought　he　had　been　neglected；　the　little　man　in
riding…boots　pushed　forward　importantly。

〃Tie　him　to　a　tree！〃　he　suggested。

〃Better　take　him　on　board；〃　said　the　barkeeper；　〃and　send　him
back　by　the　pilot。　When　we're　once　at　sea；　he　can't　hurt　us　any。〃

〃What　makes　you　think　I　want　to　hurt　you？〃　demanded　David。　〃Who
do　you　think　I　am？〃

〃We　know　who　you　are；〃　shouted　the　fiery…headed　one。　〃You're　a
blanketty…blank　spy！　You're　a　government　spy　or　a　Spanish　spy；
and　whichever　you　are　you　don't　get　away　to…night！〃

David　had　not　the　faintest　idea　what　the　man　meant；　but　he　knew
his　self…respect　was　being　ill…treated；　and　his　self…respect
rebelled。

〃You　have　made　a　very　serious　mistake；〃　he　said；　〃and　whether　you
like　it　or　not；　I　AM　leaving　here　to…night；　and　YOU　can　go　to　the
devil！〃

Turning　his　back　David　started　with　great　dignity　to　walk　away。
It　was　a　short　walk。　Something　hit　him　below　the　ear　and　he　found
himself　curling　up　comfortably　on　the　ties。　He　had　a　strong
desire　to　sleep；　but　was　conscious　that　a　bed　on　a　railroad
track；　on　account　of　trains　wanting　to　pass；　was　unsafe。　This
doubt　did　not　long　disturb　him。　His　head　rolled　against　the　steel
rail；　his　limbs　relaxed。　From　a　great　distance；　and　in　a　strange
sing…song　he　heard　the　voice　of　the　barkeeper　saying；
〃Ninetenand　OUT！〃

When　David　came　to　his　senses　his　head　was　resting　on　a　coil　of
rope。　In　his　ears　was　the　steady　throb　of　an　engine；　and　in　his
eyes　the　glare　of　a　lantern。　The　lantern　was　held　by　a
pleasant…faced　youth　in　a　golf　cap　who　was　smiling
sympathetically。　David　rose　on　his　elbow　and　gazed　wildly　about
him。　He　was　in　the　bow　of　the　ocean…going　tug；　and　he　saw　that
from　where　he　lay　in　the　bow　to　her　stern　her　decks　were　packed
with　men。　She　was　steaming　swiftly　down　a　broad　river。　On　either
side　the　gray　light　that　comes　before　the　dawn　showed　low　banks
studded　with　stunted　palmettos。　Close　ahead　David　heard　the　roar
of　the　surf。

〃Sorry　to　disturb　you；〃　said　the　youth　in　the　golf　cap；　〃but　we
drop　the　pilot　in　a　few　minutes　and　you're　going　with　him。〃

David　moved　his　aching　head　gingerly；　and　was　conscious　of　a　bump
as　large　as　a　tennis　ball　behind　his　right　ear。

〃What　happened　to　me？〃　he　demanded。

〃You　were　sort　of　kidnapped；　I　guess；〃　laughed　the　young　man。　〃It
was　a　raw　deal；　but　they　couldn't　take　any　chances。　The　pilot
will　land　you　at　Okra　Point。　You　can　hire　a　rig　there　to　take　you
to　the　railroad。〃

〃But　why？〃　demanded　David　indignantly。　〃Why　was　I　kidnapped？　What
had　I　done？　Who　were　those　men　who〃

From　the　pilot…house　there　was　a　sharp　jangle　of　bells　to　the
engine…room；　and　the　speed　of　the　tug　slackened。

〃Come　on；〃　commanded　the　young　man　briskly。　〃The　pilot's　going
ashore。　Here's　your　grip；　here's　your　hat。　The　ladder's　on　the
port　side。　Look　where　you're　stepping。　We　can't　show　any　lights；
and　it's　dark　as〃

But；　even　as　he　spoke；　like　a　flash　of　powder；　as　swiftly　as　one
throws　an　electric　switch；　as　blindingly　as　a　train　leaps　from
the　tunnel　into　the　glaring　sun；　the　darkness　vanished　and　the
tug　was　swept　by　the　fierce；　blatant　radiance　of　a　search…light。

It　was　met　by　shrieks　from　two　hundred　throats；　by　screams；
oaths；　prayers；　by　the　sharp　jangling　of　bells；　by　the　blind　rush
of　many　men　scurrying　like　rats　for　a　hole　to　hide　in；　by　the
ringing　orders　of　one　man。　Above　the　tumult　this　one　voice　rose
like　the　warning　strokes　of　a　fire…gong；　and　looking　up　to　the
pilot…house　from　whence　the　voice　came；　David　saw　the　barkeeper
still　in　his　shirt…sleeves　and　with　his　derby　hat　pushed　back
behind　his　ears；　with　one　hand　clutching　the　telegraph　to　the
engine…room；　with　the　other　holding　the　spoke　of　the　wheel。

David　felt　the　tug；　like　a　hunter　taking　a　fence；　rise　in　a　great
leap。　Her　bow　sank　and　rose；　tossing　the　water　from　her　in　black；
oily　waves；　the　smoke　poured　from　her　funnel；　from　below　her
engines　sobbed　and　quivered；　and　like　a　hound　freed　from　a　leash
she　raced　for　the　open　sea。　But　swiftly　as　she　fled；　as　a　thief
is　held　in　the　circle　of　a　policeman's　bull's…eye；　the　shaft　of
light　followed　and　exposed　her　and　held　her　in　its　grip。　The
youth　in　the　golf　cap　was　clutching　David　by　the　arm。　With　his
free　hand　he　pointed　down　the　shaft　of　light。　So　great　was　the
tumult　that　to　be　heard　he　brought　his　lips　close　to　David's　ear。

〃That's　the　revenue　cutter！〃　he　shouted。　〃She's　been　laying　for
us　for　three　weeks；　and　now；〃　he　shrieked　exultingly；　〃the　old
man's　going　to　give　her　a　race　for　it。〃

From　excitement；　from　cold；　from　alarm；　David's　nerves　were
getting　beyond　his　control。

〃But　how；〃　he　demanded；　〃how　do　I　get　ashore？〃

〃You　don't！〃

〃When　he　drops　the　pilot；　don't　I〃

〃How　can　he　drop　the　pilot？〃　yelled　the　youth。　〃The　pilot's　got
to　stick　by　the　boat。　So　have　you。〃

David　clutched　the　young　man　and　swung　him　so　that　they　stood
face　to　face。

〃Stick　by　what　boat？〃　yelled　David。　〃Who　are　these　men？　Who　are
you？　What　boat　is　this？〃

In　the　glare　of　the　search…light　David　saw　the　eyes　of　the　youth
staring　at　him　as　though　he　feared　he　were　in　the　clutch　of　a
madman。　Wrenching　himself　free；　the　youth　pointed　at　the
pilot…house。　Above　it　on　a　blue　board　in　letters　of　gold…leaf　a
foot　high　was　the　name　of　the　tug。　As　David　read　it　his　breath
left　him；　a　finger　of　ice　passed　slowly　down　his　spine。　The　name
he　read　was　The　Three　Friends。

〃THE　THREE　FRIENDS！〃　shrieked　David。　〃She's　a　filibuster！　She's　a
pirate！　Where're　we　going？

〃To　Cuba！〃

David　emitted　a　howl　of　anguish；　rage；　and　protest。

〃What　for？〃　he　shrieked。

The　young　man　regarded　him　coldly。

〃To　pick　bananas；〃　he　said。

〃I　won't　go　to　Cuba；〃　shouted　David。　〃I've　got　to　work！　I'm　paid
to　sell　machinery。　I　demand　to　be　put　ashore。　I'll　lose　my　job　if
I'm　not　put　ashore。　I'll　sue　you！　I'll　have　the　law〃

David　found　himself　suddenly　upon　his　knees。　His　first　thought
was　that　the　ship　had　struck　a　rock；　and　then　that　she　was
bumping　herself　over　a　succession　of　coral　reefs。　She　dipped；
dived；　reared；　and　plunged。　Like　a　hooked　fish；　she　flung　herself
in　the　air；　quivering　from　bow　to　stern。　No　longer　was　David　of　a
mind　to　sue　the　filibusters　if　they　did　not　put　him　ashore。　If
only　they　had　put　him　ashore；　in　gratitude　he　would　have　crawled
on　his　knees。　What　followed　was　of　no　interest　to　David；　nor　to
many　of　the　filibusters；　nor　to　any　of　the　Cuban　patriots。　Their
groans　of　self…pity；　their　prayers　and　curses　in　eloquent
Spanish；　rose　high　above　the　crash　of　broken　crockery　and　the
pounding　of　the　waves。　Even　when　the　search…light　gave　way　to　a
brilliant　sunlight　the　circumstance　was　unobserved　by　David。　Nor
was　he　concerned　in　the　tidings　brought　forward　by　the　youth　in
the　golf　cap；　who　raced　the　slippery　decks　and　vaulted　the
prostrate　forms　as　sure…footedly　as　a　hurdler　on　a　cinder　track。
To　David；　in　whom　he　seemed　to　think　he　had　found　a　congenial
spirit；　he　shouted　Joyfully；　〃She's　fired　two　blanks　at　us！〃　he
cried；　〃now　she's　firing　cannon…balls！〃

〃Thank　God；〃　whispered　David；　〃perhaps　she'll　sink　us！〃

But　The　Three　Friends　showed　her　heels　to　the　revenue　cutter；　and
so　far　as　David　knew　hours　passed　into　days　and　days　into　weeks。
It　was　like　those　nightmares　in　which　in　a　minute　one　is　whirled
through　centuries　of　fear　and　torment。　Sometimes；　regardless　of
nausea；　of　his　aching　head；　of　the　hard　deck；　of　the　waves　that
splashed　and　smothered　him；　David　fell　into　broken　slumber。
Sometimes　he　woke　to　a　dull　consciousness　of　his　position。　At
such　moments　he　added　to　his　misery　by　speculating　upon　the　other
misfortunes　that　might　have　befallen　him　on　shore。　Emily；　he
decided；　had　given　him　up　for　lost　and　marriedprobably　a　navy
officer　in　command　of　a　battle…ship。　Burdett　and　Sons　had　cast
him　off　forever。　Possibly　his　disappearance　had　caused　them　to
suspect　him；　even　now　they　might　be　regarding　him　as　a　defaulter；
as　a　fugitive　from　justice。　His　accounts；　no　doubt；　were　being
carefully　overhauled。　In　actual　time；　two　days　and　two　ni